Article mounting

ABSTRACT

An arrangement for eccentrically mounting a camera on a support incorporating two portions adapted for relative rotation about an axis defined by the orientation of the support to maintain a given camera orientation. An electric motor rotates a pinion gear relative to a rack to correct for displacement of a portion of the support. The support can be combined with an adjustable level article supports including telescoping sections and other post sections that can be independently positioned.

This invention relates to the mounting of articles such as a camera insuch manner that the article/camera is selectively rotatable about anaxis.

In particular but not exclusively the present invention is concernedwith the mounting of cameras in such manner as to assist in thestabilising of cameras during the use thereof by enabling the camera tobe rotated or rolled about a predetermined axis.

Whilst the present specification will discuss the features of theinvention and its mode of use in relation to the positioning of a camerait is to be understood that the apparatus and features of the inventioncan well be used in other applications in which it is desired to be ableto displace an article in a similar manner.

It is well known to be able to mount cameras on tripods and othersupports so that the camera can be rotated about an axis perpendicularto the optical axis of a lens associated with the camera and/or a secondaxis in which the lens axis is tiltable up or down thereby effectivelyto provide two degrees of pivotal movement relative to the optical axisof the camera.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting systemfor a camera that allows the camera to be mounted to a support in suchmanner that the camera can be selectively displaceable relative to thesupport about at least one axis additional to the aforesaid two degreesof rotational movement.

Broadly according to an aspect of the invention there is provided anarrangement for mounting a camera in such manner that the camera can besupported at a location offset from the optical axis of the optics ofthe camera below its centre of gravity by mounting means enablingrotation between the mounting means and a further support serving tosupport the mounting means, about a predetermined axis relative to saidoptical axis.

Preferably, said predetermined axis is definable by the positioning ofthe further support relative to the horizontal/vertical.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, anarticle/appratus/camera is eccentrically mountable by a mounting meanssupported by/from a support in such manner that the mounting means isadapted for relative rotation about a predetermined axis defined by thepositioning of the main support with respect to the horizontal/vertical,the arrangement being such manner that in the event of said relativerotation a predetermined axis of the article/apparatus/cameraeffectively remains in its initial position.

Preferably, a camera is eccentrically mountable to a first main portionof a two main portion support unit in such manner that relative rotationbetween the two portions is possible about a predetermined axis ordirection defined by the position of the second main portion aligningwith the optical axis of the imaging arrangements of the camera, andalso such that in the event of the relative rotation said imaging axisof the camera effectively remains in its initial alignment.

Conveniently said support unit includes a first main support portionincluding an annular/cylindrical first cage/framework rotatable withrespect to a second cage/framework, the first cage/framework includingpart of a geared drive for rotatably engaging with a part of the geareddrive provided on a second cage/framework, and wherein said firstcage/framework is adapted for eccentrically mounting the camera withrespect to the axis of relative rotation between the first and secondgages/frameworks.

Preferably, the geared drive comprises a rack and pinion(s)configuration.

In a preferred construction drive means are provided for producing saidrelative rotation.

Preferably said geared drive means includes an electric motor mounted onthe second cage/framework, the motor being arranged to rotate agear/pinion engaging with a tooth rack coaxial with said direction andprovided upon the first cage/framework.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how to carry thesame into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawingsin which:—

FIG. 1 is a highly schematic side view of a first embodiment of asupport assembly for supporting a camera unit in accordance with theproposals of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a camera unit when mounted in the supportassembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a schematically represented second embodiment asupport assembly for supporting a camera unit,

FIG. 4 is a front view of a camera unit when mounted in the cageassembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a variation of a detail of theembodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4

The embodiment of the cage assembly 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includesfirst and second circular frame members 2 maintained in parallel spacedapart relationship by spacer bars 3, The bars 3 are located externallyof the circular form of the frame members 1 and 2 in mounting lugs 4. Inpractice, there are six such lugs 4 equiangularly spaced around thecircumference of the frame members 1 and 2. This construction provides acylindrical like cage or framework.

The inner periphery of each frame member 2 provides a smooth cylindricaltrack 5 for receiving and locating in rolling contact rolls 6 providedupon an inner circular camera unit mounting frame 7. One or both of theframe members 2 incorporates a toothed circumscribing track 8 that isintended to be operationally engaged by a pinion 9 associated with themounting frame 7. In practice the pinion can be rotated by way of amotor drive schematically represented at 10 whereby the frame 7 can berotated with respect to the frame 2.

As may be seen from FIG. 2 a camera unit 11 to be carried by therotatable mounting frame is mounted to the frame in such manner that thecentre of gravity of the camera is, i.e., in the position shown in theFIG. 2, located below the axis of rotation of the camera unit within thecage assembly frame 2. The camera unit 11 can be considered ascomprising the actual camera, together with any batteries, monitorsetc., associated with the camera, that are conveniently mountable to theframe 7 whilst any other apparatus conventionally regarded as forming acamera unit can be located elsewhere. Thus, for example, a monitor couldbe supported from the frame assembly 7 or from a post like support whichmounts the above discussed support assembly. whereby the monitor remainsin conventional operational position irrespective of the setting of thecage assembly 1.

The support assembly 1 is provided with a mounting arrangement 12whereby the assembly can be mounted upon a camera equipment support, notshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but to be discussed herein after. It isconvenient to note at this point that camera equipment supports includecolumn like supports known as body mounted camera stabilisers andusually gimballed at the centre of gravity thereof by a gimbalsarrangement that includes to a support arm that can in turn be attachedto a operator worn apparatus support harness or vest. Such devices areintended, when supporting a camera, to isolate the camera (or similardevice) from unwanted movements of a walking, running or otherwisemoving operator particularly when the camera is being used in the motionpicture and video industries.

In order to enable the assembly to be hand carried the assembly isprovided with a carrying handle 13 connecting with the two uppermostbars 3.

As will be seen from the FIGS. 1 and 2 the camera unit 11 is thuseccentrically mounted within the support assembly 1 in such manner thatrelative rotational/rolling displacement is possible between the supportassembly 1 and the camera unit 11 about a predetermined axis ordirection (in the case of a camera unit with the optical axis of thecamera unit lens) in such manner that in the event of rotation of thesupport assembly 1 about said axis the camera unit 10 effectivelyremains in its initial position.

This arrangement has the practical consequence that whenever the supportassembly frame 2 is rotated about its axis of symmetry the camerasupport frame 7 and the camera unit 11 supported thereby will roll, orcan be caused to roll under the control of electronic, electrical ormechanical control equipment (not shown) relative to the cage assembly 1as to maintain the orientation of the camera with respect to thehorizontal unchanged. In other words the horizon for the camera willremain level.

With this arrangement the camera horizon can be maintained horizontalirrespective of the nature of the mounting of the cage assembly to anassociated support (not shown).

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 in which a second embodiment of theassembly of the invention shown therein includes first and secondcircular end frame members 14. Each frame member 14 includes an outerring element 15 and a coaxially arranged inner ring element 16, theelements 15 and 16 being rotatable relative to each other,.

For the purpose of facilitating such relative rotation the facingrelatively rotatable surfaces of the elements 15 and 16 can be providedwith appropriate coating material (not shown) to facilitate suchrelative rotation. Alternatively, rolls (not shown) may be provided onone or both of the co-operating ring element pairs 15 and 16 tofacilitate such rotation.

As will be seen particularly from FIG. 4 the ring elements 15 are eachprovided with a series of apertures 19 and slots 20 regularly spacedthere around the peripheral regions thereof.

Selected ones of these apertures 19 serve as mounting locations for anumber of parallel bars 21 (FIG. 3) that serve to couple the outer ringelements 15 one to the other to form a rigid cylindrical open outercage. For example, six or eight such bars 21 can be equiangularlydisposed around the associated outer ring elements 15. It will beappreciated that the number of the bars 21 used would depend uponfactors such as the overall dimensions and diameter of the elements andthis the cage assembly and its intended use.

The two inner ring elements 16 likewise provided with a plurality ofequidistantly spaced apertures 23 (FIG. 4) there being shaped bosses 24in the vicinity of each such aperture 23. The two inner ring elements 16are interconnected as will be discussed hereinafter effectively toprovide a rigid inner cage relatively rotatable within the outer cage.

In practice since this inner cage is to be required to support/carry anarticle such as a camera the mounting arrangements for such article are,as will be considered hereinafter are utilised to interconnect the innerring elements to provide the inner cage.

An outer annular ring plate 25 (FIG. 3) is mounted to the outer face ofone of the outer ring elements 15 (for convenience this particular ringelement will be referred to herein after as the front ring element) bysuitable bolts or the like 26 engaging with appropriate ones of saidbores. The ring plate 26 includes a peripheral toothed rack 27 on itsinner annular face (only schematically illustrated), the rack thus beingcoaxial with the axis of relative rotation of the associated interengaging inner and outer ring elements 15 and 16. A toothed pinion 28mounted to the shaft 29 of a motor (not shown) carried by the inner ring16 by way of bolts 30.

In the variation shown in FIG. 5 The ring plate 25 includes a peripheraltoothed rack 31 on its outer annular face, the rack 31 thus beingcoaxial with the axis of relative rotation of the associated interengaging inner and outer ring elements 15 and 16.

This rack 27 is intended to be operationally engaged by two gearwheel/pinions 32/33 respectively carried by the output shafts 34/35 ofelectric motors (not shown in FIG. 5) mounted from support brackets (notshown) integral with the inner ring element 16 associated with saidfront ring element 15 the motors being held in place by bolts 36. Inpractice the motors are additionally supported along the lengths thereofby secondary support brackets (not shown) located midway of the lengthof the motor and connecting with two of the bars 21 serving tointerconnect the two inner ring elements 16 by being connected to suchelements by engagement with appropriate ones of the apertures.

Immediately opposite to the locations of the motors a camera supportplatform 37 is mounted to the inner rings 16 such the platform 37effectively bridges the rings 16 and effectively forms part of theconstruction of the inner cage.

The support platform 37 is secured to the ring elements 16 by bolts orthe like (not shown) engaging with selected ones of the apertures in therings. It will be understood that the plane of the support 37 isessentially in a plane tangential to the inner cage assembly. Thesupport includes a dovetail camera connection facility 38 adapted forengagement with a complementary dovetail attachment fitting providedupon the post type of camera support to be discussed herein after. Thisarrangement enables mounting and removal of the camera from the innerand outer cages. It will be understood that means are provided forsecurely locking the camera unit 11 to the support assembly.

The outer cage is provided with a assembly support/mounting platform(not shown). This platform is connected to the outer cage by bolts (notshown) engaging in selected ones of the apertures 19. It will beappreciated that the platform would be suitably apertured/adapted tofacilitate the mounting of the platform and thus the associated assemblyto for example a a travelling camera unit incorporating power suppliesfor the camera unit 11 and motor 16.

From the above it will be noted that that the camera unit 21 iseffectively eccentrically mounted to the assembly of the inner and outercages. An important feature arising from such mounting is that, As maybe seen from FIG. 3 that the centre of gravity of the camera unit 21 is,i.e., when in the position shown in the FIG. 3, located below the axisof rotation of the camera frame within the cage assembly.

By associating the control of the above mentioned motor(s) with agyro-system in such manner as to provide an electrical control fed backloop serving as a breaking facility for the pinion enables the cageassembly to be mounted at any angle whilst enabling the operationalhorizon of camera unit 10 to remain horizontal/level.

In addition the braking facility can be used to control any tendency ofthe support frame 7 and the camera unit 11 mounted thereto fromundergoing rocking motion.

It will be understood the a motor drive system (not shown) can be usedto effect a controlled rotation of the pinion and thus the cameramounting frame with respect to the support assembly. With thisarrangement the camera mounting frame and the camera can berotated/rolled relative to the support assembly cage even when thelatter is static so that, in practice the effect of, for example, arocking movement i.e., being at sea or banking around corners.

It will be appreciated that the the above described support assembly canbe mounted to any convenient form of support and can form part of acamera mounting installation For example, the above discussed supportassembly can provide part of a so-called remote head for mounting fromtripods, boom arms, cranes etc., in such manner as to be suitable foruse as to provide a third axis of positional displacement of a camera orwith a view to keeping a horizon level and stable. For this purpose theremote head would incorporate arrangements facilitating stabilisation.

Furthermore the support assembly can be constructed such as to bemountable to so-called camera stabilising platforms. Certain of suchplatforms are known as ‘Steadicams’ or Sled-platforms.

Whilst the above description has referred to the mounting of the camerawithin a generally cylindrical cage that is rotatable within an outercylindrical cage it will be appreciated that this is but one mode ofsupporting the camera for rotation/rolling about a predetermined axis.For example, the camera could be effectively mounted to a support bar orsuitably sized and shaped support element comprising platform/platemember or structure that is mounted for rotation in a second supportmember, structure or the like so shaped and arranged such that thecamera is rotatable about an axis coaxial or offset aligned with theoptical axis of the optics of the camera. It will be appreciated that inorder to achieve this arrangement the support for the platform wouldneed to be shaped and formed to accommodate the physical dimensionsi.e., depth of the base of unit beneath the optical axis.

As has been mentioned the above described assembly can be mounted upon acolumn type support unit. In a preferred such support unit provision ismade for adjustable level mounting of the camera and any associatedarrangement as herein before mentioned.

Thus according to a further aspect of the invention there is to be anadjustable level article support unit for a camera and any associatedarrangement as herein before mentioned including telescopicallyengageable elongate post sections including a main post section sectionand at least two further post sections that are adapted to beindependently positionally set with respect to opposite ends of the mainpost section.

According to a further aspect of the invention an adjustable levelarticle support unit includes telescopically engageable sectionsincluding a main section and at least two further sections that areadapted to be independently positionally settable with respect toopposite ends of the main section.

Preferably, the telescope arrangement is such that variation in thelength of the support unit is possible from opposite ends of the mainsection, and wherein positionally adjustable means are provided forsupporting the adjustable level support unit from the main section isprovided upon the main section.

According to a still further aspect of the invention an adjustable levelarticle support unit includes a first post section, a second postsection adapted at one end thereof to mount an article to be supportedand its other end telescopically to inter-engage into one end of thepost section, a third elongate post section adapted at one end thereoftelescopically engage in the other end of the post section and a fourthpost section adapted at one end telescopically to engage in the otherend of the third post section and at its other end to unit supportelement or to means for supporting a load therefrom, and gimbals meanslocated intermediate of the ends of the first section for enabling thesupport unit itself to be manually whilst permitting pivotal movementbetween the support means and the unit elongate post sections.

Preferably the diameters of the the first and second post sections aresuch as to allow the third post section telescopically enter into thesecond post set, ion when the latter is fully telescopically engagedinto the first post section from a direction opposite to that of thesecond post section into the main post section so as to facilitate asshort as possible fully telescoped relationship between the postsections.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how to carry thesame into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawingsin which:

FIG. 1A schematically illustrates an adjustable level article supportunit incorporating the concepts of the invention when in an extendedarticle support setting.

FIG. 2A schematically illustrates an article support unit of FIG. 1 whenin its minimum length setting;

FIG. 3A illustrates to an enlarged scale the telescopic elements used inthe support unit of FIGS. 1 and 2,

FIG. 4A in exploded view details of a lower end fitting for locking thetelescopic sections in a required relative position;

FIG. 5A illustrates in exploded view details of two forms of endfittings for enabling the position of post sections and for attachmentof the support unit to a support or other article;

FIG. 6A illustrates in exploded view details of a lower end fitting forlocking the telescopic post sections in a required position; and

FIG. 7A illustrates in combined plan and elevation a further detail ofan end fitting for the mounting of a camera to the uppermost telescopicpost section.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1A and 2Athe adjustable level support unit 1 shown therein includes a main/firstpost section 2 adapted at its upper end 3 telescopically to receive thelower end 4 of a second post section 5. The upper end 6 of the postsection 5 is provided with an end fitting 7 by moans of which thearticle to be supported i.e., a camera or the like 8 can be connected tothe platform 7 for the purposes of use. This end fitting will bediscussed hereinafter.

A rotatable clamp element 9 is provided at the upper end 3 of the firstpost section 2 for the purposes of locking the second post section 5 ata required lengthways position with respect to the first section 2. Thisclamp unit 9 is adapted for exerting a clamping action upon the outersurface of the post section 4 that telescopically engages there with andwill be further discussed hereinafter.

The lower end 10 of the first post section 2 is provided with aconnection element 11 by means of which a third and fourthtelescopically engageable post sections 12 and 13 respectively areconnectable in extension of the post sections 2 and 4. This connectionelement 11 will be discussed hereinafter.

The upper end 14 of the of the third post section 12 is adapted toconnect with the connection element 11.

A rotatable clamp element 15 is provided at the lower end 16 of thethird post section 12 for the purposes of locking the fourth postsection 13 at a required lengthways position with respect to the thirdpost section 12 This clamp unit 15 is conveniently similar to thatprovided at the lower end 10 of the first post section 2. The lower end16 of the fourth post section 13 is adapted to receive a adapter unit 17whereby the assembly of the four post sections 2,4, 12, and 13 can beconnected to a base unit 18 in such manner that the assembly of the fourpost sections is upstanding from the base unit. Alternatively apparatusassociated with the operation of the camera unit may be connected to thelower end of the bottom post section 13.

Articles can be carried from the post sections as is indicated in theFigures. As shown one such article is carried from an arm 22 connectedto a clamping unit 23 provided upon the section 12. In the Figures thearm is shown connected to the third section 12. With this arrangement itshould be noted that when the four sections are telescoped to theposition shown in FIG. 3A clamping unit 23 for the arm can be positionedat the lower end of the associated section.

When the support unit is intended to be part of a user body mountedstabilisation device the the support unit is carried from a supportharness or vest (not shown) worn by the user of the camera by way of agimbals unit 19 incorporating a carrying handle 20.

This gimbals unit 19 includes a sleeve 21 having at its upper end amounting 22 for a pivoted handle structure that is pivoted to the themounting 22. The mounting 22 allows the post to rotate about thelongitudinal axis of the support unit and is mounted to the outermostsection 2 at a position that is effectively at the centre of balance ofthe support when carrying the camera and any other form of load such asis indicated in the Figures. The sleeve is locked in a required positionlengthways of the post section 2 by a locking ring 23.

Referring now to FIG. 4A this illustrates in detail the attachment unit11. The latter includes a sleeve part 24 that is engageable with thelower end of the post section 2. The lower end of the sleeve comprises aring of ‘fingers’ 25 that are clamped towards the post section 12 by aclamping ring 26.

The connection unit 15 is illustrated in the the upper part of FIG. 5Aand includes a sleeve part 27 attached to the lower end of the postsection 12 and having a clamping part 28 extending therefrom adapted tobe able to clamp against the post section 13 on rotation of a lockingelement 29. and FIG. 5A and includes a sleeve part 28 having at its Thelower part of FIG. 5A illustrates the base member 18 and as showncomprises ring member 18 at the lower end of the post section 13 andintended to threadably engage with an upstanding threaded part providedupon an article it is required to attach to the lower end of the postsection 13. The element 9 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 6A andincludes a sleeve member 30 secured to the upper end of the post section2 that is provided with ‘fingers’ that are caused to clamp against thepost section 5 by means of a clamp ring 31 with its locking element 32.

The platform 7 can comprise a sleeve secured to the upper end 6 of thepost section 5 having a threaded part which enables a camera or otherarticle to be secured to the post section. This sleeve can provide forthe mounting of the platform previously mentioned.

It will be understood with the above discussed adjustable support unitthat lengthways telescopic adjustment is possible from opposite ends ofthe main post section 2. In practice this means that the level of thearticle/camera mounted to the platform 7 relative to the carryinggimbals/handle 19,20,21 can be set to suit the convenience of the user.

The figures illustrate the mounting of such additional articles to thesupport unit at the lowermost end thereof as shown at 24.

It will be understood with the above discussed adjustable support unitthat lengthways telescopic adjustment is possible from opposite ends ofthe main section 2. In practice this means that the level of thearticle/camera mounted to the platform 7 relative to the carryinggimbals/handle can be set to suit the convenience of the user and thatif it should be desired to mount the support unit to an actual basesupport such as a camera stabilising platform. (Such stabilisingplatforms are known under trade names such as ‘steadicam’ and sledplatforms) the settings of the telescopic sections 12 and 13 can be setso that the camera 8 when so mounted is at a required level. As will beappreciated with this arrangement the camera remains level wise set foruser carrying use upon removal from the stabilising platform without theneed for resetting adjustments.

The additional articles can be elements such as batteries for thecamera, monitors for enabling communication between the user of thesupport unit and a remote source of information relevant to the use ofthe camera.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. An adjustable level article support for an articlehaving a center of gravity, the article support supporting the articlefrom below the center of gravity and being coupled to the article insuch a manner as to permit relative rotation between the support and thearticle about a predetermined axis.
 15. The adjustable level articlesupport of claim 14 wherein said predetermined axis is definable bypositioning the support relative to a selected horizontal direction. 16.The adjustable level article support of claim 15 comprising first andsecond portions adapted for relative rotation about the predeterminedaxis, the article being eccentrically mounted within one of the firstand second portions such that rotation of the other of the first andsecond portions can occur while the article remains in an initialposition.
 17. The adjustable level article support of claim 16 whereinthe article is mounted within one of the first and second portions suchthat the article can be rotated about a selected axis with respect tothe support while remaining aligned with said selected axis.
 18. Theadjustable level article support of claim 17 wherein the first andsecond portions includes annular guide tracks rotatably engagedtogether.
 19. The adjustable level article support of claim 18 furthercomprising motor means for producing relative rotation between the guidetracks on said first and second portions.
 20. The adjustable levelarticle support of claim 19 wherein the motor means is coupled to apinion gear engaging a rack on one of the first and second portions. 21.The adjustable level article support of claim 20 wherein the articlecomprises a camera and the rotational axis of the guide tracks isaligned with the camera optical axis.
 22. The adjustable level articlesupport of claim 21 wherein the support unit further comprisestelescopically engageable sections including a main post section and atleast two further post sections that are adapted to be independentlypositionally set with respect to opposite ends of the main post section.23. The adjustable level article support of claim 22 wherein the twofurther post sections are telescopically extendable from opposite endsof the main post section, and a position adjustment element coupleddirectly to the main post section.
 24. The adjustable level articlesupport of claim 23 wherein the position adjustment element comprises agimbals unit including a sleeve movable lengthways of the main postsection and lockable to the sleeve at any selected position along themain post section.
 25. The adjustable level article support of claim 24wherein the gimbals unit includes a pivotally mounted support handle.26. An adjustable level article support unit including a first elongatepost section, a second elongate post section adapted at one end thereofto mount an article to be supported, and adapted at another endtelescopically to engage into one end of a first post section, a thirdelongate post section adapted at one end thereof telescopically toengage in said another end of the first post section, and a fourthelongate post section adapted at one end to engage the third elongatepost section and adapted at a second end to support a load, and agimbals unit located intermediate of the ends of the first post sectionfor enabling the support unit itself to be manually directed whilepermitting pivotal movement between the support means and the unit postsections.